Contents №2-2006

Abstract: The article is a slightly abridged version of a chapter from the forthcoming book: The Russians and the Poles at the edge of the centuries: a comparative study of social identifications (1998-2002) / Ed. by V.A. Yadov and E.N. Danilova. Saint-Petersburg: Russian Christian Humanitarian Institute. In the Polish political discourse Russia is usually depicted as a country of lower civilization and a threat to Poland in economical, political or military dimensions. Nevertheless the Poles are in some respect more open to Russia than many in the West. The article is not to present an objective and systematic description of the current state of Polish perceptions of Russia. Negative aspects of Russia's representations in Polish public discourse are concerned.

Abstract: According to national polls in Poland and Russia of 2002, Russians more often tended to show firm identifications with different social groups, while Poles preferred situational identifications. Two interpretations (post hoc hypotheses) are tested: firm identifications (1) compensate social deprivation, or (2) show the massive stock of social capital. The second one is accepted and discussed in the context of evaluating Russian and Polish post-Communist transits.

Abstract: The authors adhere to social constructivism perspective onto social work theory, while practical experience is considered basic for professional expertise. Some methods and techniques of approaching to the immediate experience of practitioners (and undermining authoritative hierarchies) are discussed.

Abstract: The author argues that the SW theory is a product of the differentiation of labour among several social sciences and humanities; it tends to practically relevant interdisciplinary generalizations

Abstract: Forms of child employment are shaped at the cross-roads of state social policy and socially approved activities. Children's reasons to participate in «Miloserdiye» (Charity) groups are examined in the article.

Abstract: The article exposes, how some classical figures in social theory - J.S. Mille, H. Spencer, E. Durkheim, G. Simmel, T. Parsons - treated the «woman question». It is argued that the content and perspective of social theory always depend on external, social factors.

Abstract: The article presents a model of structural and functional analysis of family as a social institution, which successfully combines individualistic and holistic perspectives, and permits to transcend a middle class white male «common sense» and even to transcend the structural and functional analysis as it was practiced. The author comes to non-trivial inferences about «family crisis».

Abstract: Initiated by politicians, the rapid transition of Russia from traditional to "rational" ways of life with egotistic and rational (in the narrow sense) individuals caused drastic social differentiation, generated social groups with opposite interests and alienation from the authoritative institutes. The author calls the political elites to be rational in the broad sense - to integrate the society appealing broadly shared values.

Abstract: The article inquires scientific grounds of the piecemeal social engineering, suggesting partial reforming social and political institutes as indispensable condition for progress of human society.

Abstract: The article is a partial representation of a general intention to give an integral perspective on logic of the modern Russian history as a constituting element of the world-history process, in which the totality of the idea and the spirit of Russia unfolds in the unity of the Russian national self-consciousness and reality of its historical being. The authors argue that the modern Russia has every possibility to build its spiritual, social, political and economical being, basing not only upon a traditional religious moral, but also upon the classical philosophical scholarship as a universal ground of constitutional state in the modern world.

Abstract: The article advocates application of a unified geo-informational system to the practice of administration at the regional level. Here are shown architecture of the system, general functions of structural entities, levels of intrasystem management. Rate of innovations in the sphere of public administration are estimated.